Stars of the British Screen: From the Thirties to the Present Day

A British Film Year Exhibition sponsored by Kodak and The Observer

The Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Market Square, Preston,
Lancashire: October 12th – November 16^th, 1985

National Portrait Gallery, St. Martin’s Place, London: December 13^th, 1985 – March 2^nd, 1986

Royal Photographic Society: Milson Street, Bath: March 8^th – May 17^th, 1986

Press Release

British Film Year presents an exhibition of some 150 photographic portraits of stars of the British screen, exploring the particular qualities of magic and magnetism that made British films unique. It is jointly organised by British Film Year and the National Portrait Gallery, with contributions from Philip French of The Observer.

The glamorous studio portraits of the Thirties and Forties present British stars who were the idols of millions throughout the world: Merle Oberon, Laurence Olivier, Vivien Leigh, James Mason, Margaret Lockwood. With the Fifties and Sixties new generations of stars emerged to increase the British impact on the international scene: Audrey Hepburn, Richard Burton, Dirk Bogarde, Sean Connery, Vanessa Redgrave, Michael Caine. In the Seventies and Eighties the influence of more recent show business developments such as pop is apparent in the glittering images of stars including Elton John, David Bowie and Sting, while the splendid recent revival of British films is represented by today’s stars such as Jenny Agutter, Julie Walters, Ben Kingsley and Rupert Everett. The exhibition will also bring out the importance of British film genres such as the Ealing comedies and the Hammer horror films.

Where possible, original prints are being used, often studio portraits by photographers whose influence on creating the ‘star aura’ has been considerable: Paul Tanqueray, Angus McBean, Cecil Beaton, Karsh, Norman Parkinson, Lord Snowdon and many more. Other prints have been made from original negatives. Sources that have generously provided material apart from the National Portrait Gallery include the BFI, the Kobal Collection, the Royal Photographic Society and Pinewood and Elstree Studios. All exhibits have been framed by the Harris Museum and Art Gallery.

Postscript

The British Film Year

The British Film Year was organised by film distributors and exhibitors in the UK and was designed to reverse the dramatic decline in cinema audiences. The Stars of the British Screen touring exhibition organised by Lynda Smith, assistant to David Puttnam and staff at the National Portrait Gallery was one of a number of events that ran in the period from April 1985 to March 1986. Others included the release of commemorative film star stamps and the inauguration of a Hollywood-style ‘Walk of Fame’ in London’s West End for which Omar Sharif, Charlton Heston, John Mills and Anna Neagle left their handprints in wet cement outside the Leicester Square Theatre. The British Film Year was a hugely successful marketing campaign and by the end of 1985 cinema audiences in the UK had increased by 35%.

Exhibition Catalogue

Although no catalogue of the exhibition was published as such, another publication by John Russell Taylor and John Kobal entitled, Portraits of the British Cinema: 60 Glorious Years was published in a paperback edition by the National Portrait Gallery to serve as catalogue and had considerable pictorial overlap.

The Launch

At the opening of Stars of the British Screen at the National Portrait Gallery, Norman Parkinson photographed those actors, actresses and directors who attended the launch, including Christopher Lee, Herbert Lom, Roland Joffe, Richard Lester, Nicolas Roeg, Peter O’Toole, Jeremy Irons, Nigel Havers, Julie Walters and Sylvia Syms. A second portrait was made by Parkinson of the photographers of the 'Stars of the British Screen', including David Steen, John Jayes, Michael Birt, Davis Boulton, Jane Bown, Paul Tanqueray, Brian Aris and Denis Waugh. These group portraits are now part of the collection at the Gallery (NPG x126889, NPG x126895 and NPG x127320).

Hand list*

*Please note: sitter’s biographical dates have been updated from the original hand list.

THE 1930s
ELIZABETH ALLAN, 1908-1990 By Dorothy Wilding, 1930s Private collection
ELISABETH BERGNER, 1900-1986 In ‘As you Like It’, 1936 By Harold Saunders National Film Archive, London	x34549
MADELEINE CARROLL, 1906-1986 In ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’, 1937 By Ted Allan National Portrait Gallery	x21555
RONALD COLMAN, 1891-1958 In ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, 1935 By Ted Allan National Portrait Gallery
THE CRAZY GANG (BUD FLANAGAN; JIMMY NERVO; TEDDY KNOX; CHARLIE NAUGHTON; JIMMY GOLD) In ‘Alf’s Button Afloat’, 1938 Photographer unknown National Film Archive, London
CONSTANCE CUMMINGS, 1910-2005 In ‘Strangers on a Honeymoon, 1936 Photographer unknown Kobal Collection	x34512
GRACIE FIELDS, 1899-1979 In ‘This Week of Grace’, 1933 By Cyril Stanborough National Film Archive, London
GREER GARSON, 1908-1996 In ‘Goodbye Mr. Chips’, 1939 By Davis Boulton National Portrait Gallery	x34546
CARY GRANT, 1904-1986 By Ted Allan, 1936 National Portrait Gallery	x24967
WILL HAY, 1888-1949 In ‘Hey, Hey, USA’, 1938 By Fred Carter National Film Archive, London	x34528
LESLIE HOWARD, 1893-1943 In ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’, 1934 By Tunbridge The Kobal Collection	x27872
JACK HULBERT, 1892-1978 and CICELY COURTNEIDGE, 1893-1980 Photographer unknown, 1936 Private collection	x34613
ELSA LANCHESTER, 1902-1986 By Ernest Bachrach, 1930s National Portrait Gallery	x21558
CHARLES LAUGHTON, 1899-1962 In ‘The Private Life of Henry VIII’, 1933 By Tunbridge National Film Archive, London	x34545
EVELYN LAYE, 1900-1996 In ‘The Night is Young’, 1934 By Clarence Sinclair Bull The Kobal Collection	x34531
VIVIEN LEIGH, 1913-1967 and LAURENCE OLIVIER, 1907-1989 In ‘Fire of Over England’, 1937 By Tunbridge National Film Archive, London
HERBERT MARSHALL, 1890-1966 and EDNA BEST, 1900-1974 By Paul Tanqueray, 1931 National Portrait Gallery
JESSIE MATTHEWS, 1907-1981 In ‘The Good Companions’, 1933 Photographer unknown Natioanl Film Archive, London
RAY MILLAND, 1905-1986 By George Hurrell, c. 1935 The Kobal Collection
MERLE OBERON, 1911-1979 In ‘The Private Life of Don Juan’, 1934 By Tunbridge The Kobal Collection	x34532
LILLI PALMER, 1914-1986 In ‘A Girl Must Live’, 1939 By Anthony Buckley The Kobal Collection	x34529
NOVA PILBEAM, b. 1919 By Otto Dyar, 1937 The Kobal Collection
SIR RALPH RICHARDSON, 1902-1983 By Davis Boulton, 1938 The Kobal Collection
GOOGIE WITHERS, b. 1917 In ‘Convict 99’, 1938 Photographer unknown The Kobal Collection	x34526
THE 1940s
RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH, b. 1923 In ‘Brighton Rock’, 1948 By Davis Boulton National Film Archive London
‘BLITHE SPIRIT’, 1945 By Wilfrid Newton Pinewood Studios
PETULA CLARK, b. 1932 In ‘Here Come the Huggetts’, 1948 By Cyril Stanborough/ Pinewood Studios	x34556
PHYLLIS CALVERT, 1915-2002 In ‘The Young Mr. Pitt’, 1942 By Ted Reed National Film Archive, London
GEORGE FORMBY, 1904-1961 In ‘Bell Bottom George’, 1943 Photographer unknown National Film Archive, London	x34611
STEWART GRANGER, 1913-1993 In ‘Saraband for Dead Lovers’, 1948 By Jack Dooley National Film Archive, London
JOAN GREENWOOD, 1921-1987 In ‘The Man Within’, 1947 By John Jay The Kobal Collection	x34551
ALEC GUINNESS, 1914-2000 with VALERIE HOBSON in ‘Kind Hearts and Coronets’, 1949 By Bob Penn Courtesy of the photographer	x88518
WENDY HILLER, 1912-2003 In ‘Major Barbara’, 1941 By Davis Boulton The Kobal Collection	x34566
STANLEY HOLLOWAY, 1890-1982 In ‘Nicholas Nickleby’, 1947 By Jack Dooley National Film Archive, London
CELIA JOHNSON, 1908-1982 and TREVOR HOWARD, b. 1916 In ‘Brief Encounter’, 1945 By Max Rosher Pinewood Studios
GLYNIS JOHNS, b. 1923 In ‘Miranda’, 1948 By Bert Cann National Film Archive, London	x34362
BORIS KARLOFF, 1887-1969 By Karsh, 1946 National Museum of Photography Film and Television, Bradford	P318
DEBORAH KERR, 1921-2007 In ‘Black Narcissus’, 1947 By Max Rosher National Film Archive, London
JEAN KENT, b. 1921 In ‘Madonna of the Seven Moons’, 1944 By Ted Reed National Film Archive, London	x34511
VIVIEN LEIGH, 1913-1967 In ‘Caesar and Cleopatra’, 1946 By Wilfrid Newton National Film Archive, London
MARGARET LOCKWOOD, 1919-1990 In ‘Wicked Lady’, 1945 By Ted Reed Pinewood Studios
HERBERT LOM, b. 1917 In ‘Dual Alibi’, 1947 By Frank Buckingham National Film Archive, London
JAMES MASON, 1909-1984 In ‘Odd Man Out’, 1947 By Dennis Reed National Film Archive, London
‘A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH’, 1945 (MARIUS GORING) By Eric Gray Pinewood Studios
JOHN MILLS, 1908-2005 and JULIET MILLS, b. 1941 In ‘Great Expectations’, 1946 By Ian Jeayes National Film Archive, London
ROBERT NEWTON, 1905-1956 In ‘Major Barbara’, 1941 By Davis Boulton The Kobal Collection	x27867
LAURENCE OLIVIER, 1907-1989 In ‘Hamlet’, 1949 By Harry Gillard National Film Archive, London
ERIC PORTMAN, 1903-1968 In ‘The Mark of Caine’, 1947 By Bert Cann National Film Archive, London
DENNIS PRICE, 1915-1973 In ‘The Bad Lord Byron’, 1948 By John Jay National Film Archive, London
SIR MICHAEL REDGRAVE, 1908-1985 In ‘The Way to the Stars’, 1945 By Charles Trigg Pinewood Studios	x34525
‘THE RED SHOES’, 1948 By George Cannons Joel Finler Collection
DAME FLORA ROBSON, 1902-1984 In ‘Saraband for Dead Lovers’, 1948 By Jack Dooley National Film Archive, London
PATRICIA ROC, 1918-2003 At the time of ‘Jassy’, 1947 By Ted Reed National Film Archive, London	x34510
ALASTAIR SIM, 1900-1976 In ‘Green for Danger’, 1946 By Arthur Evans National Film Archive, London	x28060
JEAN SIMMONS, 1929-2010 In ‘Hamlet’, 1949 By Wilfrid Newton National Film Archive, London
ANN TODD, 1909-1993 At the time of ‘The Seventh Veil’, 1945 By Paul Tanqueray National Portrait Gallery	x26333
JACK WARNER, 1894-1981 and KATHLEEN HARRISON, 1892-1995 In ‘Here Come the Huggetts’, 1948 By Cyril Stanborough National Film Archive, London	x34610
MICHAEL WILDING, 1912-1979 and ANNA NEAGLE, b. 1904-1986 In ‘Spring in Park Lane’, 1949 By George Higgins National Film Archive, London
DIANA WYNYARD, 1906-1964 In ‘An Ideal Husband’, 1947 By Sir Cecil Beaton National Film Archive, London	x40402
THE 1950s
SIR STANLEY BAKER, 1928-1976 By Cornel Lucas, 1955 National Portrait Gallery	x23300
CLAIRE BLOOM, b. 1931 By Paul Tanqueray, 1956 National Portrait Gallery	x7253
DIRK BOGARDE, 1921-1999 At the time of ‘Libel’, 1959 By George Courtney Ward Pinewood Studios	x34516
RICHARD BURTON 1925-1984 In ‘Look Back in Anger’, 1959 By Bob Penn Thorn EMI Elstree Studios	x27865
IAN CARMICHAEL, 1920-2010 In ‘School for Scoundrels’, 1959 By Bob Penn Thorn EMI Elstree Studios	x34517
JOAN COLLINS, b. 1933 By Cornel Lucas, 1951 Pinewood Studios	x27871
ROBERT DONAT, 1905-1958 In ‘The Magic Box’, 1951 By James Jarché The Royal Photographic Society, Bath
DIANA DORS, 1931-1984 In ‘Yield to the Night’, 1955 By Frank Buckingham Thorn EMI Elstree Studios
PETER FINCH, 1916-1977 In ‘The Shiralee’, 1957 By Roy Gough Thorn EMI Elstree Studios	x34026
‘GENEVIEVE’, 1953 By Harry Gillard Pinewood Studios
JOYCE GRENFELL, 1910-1979 By James Jarché, c. 1955 The Royal Photographic Society, Bath
LAURENCE HARVEY, 1929-1973 By Cornel Lucas, 1953 National Portrait Gallery	x23304
JACK HAWKINS, 1910-1973 In ‘League of Gentlemen’, 1959 By Ian Jeayes Pinewood Studios	x34524
AUDREY HEPBURN, 1929-1993 By Angus McBean, 1950 The Royal Photographic Society, Bath	P1295
JAMES ROBERTSON JUSTICE, 1905-1975 In ‘Rob Roy the Highland Rogue’, 1953 Photographer unknown National Film Archive, London	x34530
KAY KENDALL, 1926-1959 In ‘Genevieve’, 1953 By Harry Gillard Pinewood Studios
‘THE LADYKILLERS’, 1955 (ALEC GUINNESS; HERBERT LOM; DANNY GREEN; KATIE JANE JOHNSON; CECIL PARKER; PETER SELLERS) By Hal Hanscomb National Film Archive, London	x88519
MARGARET LEIGHTON, 1922-1976 In ‘The Astonished Heart’, 1950 By Wilfrid Newton The Kobal Collection	x34529
VIRGINIA MCKENNA, b. 1931 By Cornel Lucas, c. 1954 The Kobal Collection	x27888
KENNETH MORE, 1914-1982 In ‘Reach for the Sky’, 1956 By Charles Trigg Pinewood Studios	x34536
ROBERT MORLEY, 1908-1992 In ‘The Doctor’s Dilema’, 1959 Photographer unknown Joel Finler Collection
DAVID NIVEN, 1909-1983 By Cornel Lucas, 1954 Courtesy of the photographer	x8770
ANTHONY QUAYLE, 1913-1989 In ‘Woman in a Dressing Gown’, 1957 By Bob Penn National Film Archive, London
ELIZABETH TAYLOR, 1932-2011 By Norman Parkinson, 1950s Courtesy of the photographer	x34522
RICHARD TODD, 1919-2009 By Frank Buckingham, c. 1950 Pinewood Studios	x34540
PETER USTINOV, 1921-2004 In ‘Quo Vadis’, 1951 By Davis Boulton The Kobal Collection
NORMAN WISDOM, 1915-2010 In ‘The Bulldog Breed’, 1960 By Albert Clarke Pinewood Studios	x34612
RONALD COLMAN, 1891-1958 In ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, 1935 By Ted Allan National Portrait Gallery	P239

HERBERT MARSHALL, 1890-1966 and EDNA BEST, 1900-1974 By Paul Tanqueray, 1931 National Portrait Gallery	x180193
THE 1960s
JULIE ANDREWS, b. 1935 By Sir Cecil Beaton, 1959 Sotheby’s, London
ALAN BATES, 1934-2003 In ‘Whistle Down the Wind’, 1961 Photographer unknown Pinewood Studios	x34537
JACQUELINE BISSET, b. 1944 In ‘Two for the Road’, 1967 Photographer unknown Joel Finler Collection	x126897
MICHAEL CAINE, b. 1933 In ‘The Ipcress File’, 1965 By George Courtney Ward The Rank Organisation	x34533
SIR CHARLES CHAPLIN, 1889-1977 By Snowdon, 1964 Courtesy of the photographer
JULIE CHRISTIE, b. 1941 In ‘Petulia’, 1967 By Bob Willoughby National Portrait Gallery	x24933
SEAN CONNERY, b. 1930 In ‘Dr. No’, 1962 By Bert Cann EON Productions Ltd.	x34555
TOM COURTENAY, b. 1937 In ‘Billy Liar!’, 1963 Photographer unknown Pinewood Studios	x34514
EDITH EVANS, 1888- 1976 In ‘Tom Jones’, 1962 By Dennis Reed National Film Archive, London	x34521
ALBERT FINNEY, b. 1936 At the time of ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning’, 1960 By Lewis Morley National Portrait Galley	P512(10)
JAMES FOX, b. 1939 and DIRK BOGARDE, 1921-1999 In ‘The Servant’, 1963 By Norman Hargood The Kobal Collection	x34523
RICHARD HARRIS, 1930-2002 In ‘This Sporting Life’, 1963 By George Courtney Ward Pinewood Studios	x34544
HAYLEY MILLS, b. 1946 At the time of ‘Pollyana’, 1960 By Bob Willoughby National Portrait Gallery	x24936
PETER O’TOOLE, b. 1932 By Bob Willoughby, 1962 National Portrait Gallery	x8344
VANESSA REDGRAVE, b. 1937 In ‘Isadora’, 1969 By Norman Parkinson National Portrait Gallery	x24964
OLIVER REED, 1938-1999 By Bob Willoughby, 1966 National Portrait Gallery	x24937
CLIFF RICHARD, b. 1940 At the time of ‘Expresso Bongo’, 1960 By Cornel Lucas National Portrait Gallery	x23307
RACHEL ROBERTS, 1927-1980 In ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning’, 1960 By Roy Gough Pinewood Studios	x27868
PETER SELLERS, 1925-1980 In ‘A Shot in the Dark’, 1964 By Bill Brandt National Portrait Gallery	x22474
ROBERT SHAW, 1927-1978 In ‘The Caretaker’, 1963 Photographer unknown Joel Finler Collection
TERENCE STAMP, b. 1940 In ‘Billy Budd’, 1962 By Frank Buckingham Thorn EMI	x27870
TERRY-THOMAS, 1911-1990 In ‘Make Mine Mink’, 1960 By Albert Clarke National Film Archive, London	x28062
RITA TUSHINGHAM, b. 1942 In ‘The Knack’, 1965 By David James The Kobal Collection	x34535
Wilfred Hyde-White, 1903-1991 In ‘The Two-Way Stretch’, 1960 By Norman Hargood Private collection	x34518
SUSANNAH YORK, 1942-2011 By Sir Cecil Beaton, 1960 Sotheby’s London	x14249
THE 1970s AND 1980s
JENNY AGUTTER, b. 1952 In ‘The Railway Children’, 1970 By Snowdon Courtesy of the Photographer	x76155
PEGGY ASHCROFT, 1907-1991 In ‘A Passage to India’. 1984 By Frank Connor Joel Finler Collection	x126901
DAVID BOWIE, b. 1947 In ‘The Man Who Fell to Earth’, 1975 By David James Thorn EMI
‘CARRY ON AT YOUR CONVENIENCE’, 1971 By Albert Clarke The Rank Organisation	x34576
PETER COOK, 1937-1995 and DUDLEY MOORE 1935-2002 By Terry O’Neill, 1975 Courtesy of the photographer	x34136
RUPERT EVERETT, b. 1959 In ‘Another Country’, 1984 By Gered Mankowitz (art direction by Rob O’Connor) Virgin Films	x76156
MARTY FELDMAN, 1933-1982 In ‘Young Frankenstein’, 1974 By Terry O’Neill Courtesy of the photographer	x34558
THE FOUR KINGS OF HORROR (CHRISTOPHER FRANK CARANDINI LEE; VINCENT PRICE; JOHN CARRADINE; PETER CUSHING) By Terry O’Neill, 1983 Courtesy of the photographer	x28064
SUSAN GEORGE, b. 1950 By Brian Aris, 1985 Courtesy of the photographer	x34562
SUZANNA HAMILTON, b. 1960 By Alastair Thain, 1985 Courtesy of the photographer	x36070
ANTHONY HOPKINS, b. 1937 By Patrick Jackson, 1985 National Portrait Gallery	x34564
BOB HOSKINS, b. 1942 In ‘The Cotton Club’, 1983 By Adger W. Cowan/ Astoria Studios	x31047
JOHN HURT, b. 1940 By John Swannell, 1977 National Portrait Gallery	x34563
JEREMY IRONS, b. 1948 By Snowdon, 1981 Courtesy of the photographer	x27864
GLENDA JACKSON, b. 1936 In ‘Mary Queen of Scots’, 1971 By Terry O’Neill Courtesy of the photographer	x34557
MICK JAGGER, b. 1943 In ‘Performance’, 1970 By Sir Cecil Beaton Sotheby’s, London
MALCOLM McDOWELL, b. 1943 In ‘A Clockwork Orange’, 1971 Frame still Warner Bros	x28061
SARAH MILES b. 1941 In ‘Lady Caroline Lamb’, 1972 By Terry O’Neill Courtesy of the photographer	x34565
HELEN MIRREN, b. 1945 In ‘Hussy’, 1979 By Ken Bray The Kobal Collection	x34519
MONTY PYTHON (JOHN CLEESE; GRAHAM CHAPMAN; ERIC IDLE; MICHAEL EDWARD PALIN; TERRY JONES) In ‘The Meaning of Life’, 1982 By David Appleby The Monty Python Partnership	x45078
ROGER MOORE, b. 1927 In ‘Octopussy’, 1982 By Frank Connor EON Productions	x76208
CHARLOTTE RAMPLING, b. 1946 By Helmut Newton, 1973 Courtesy of the photographer	x32395
MIRANDA RICHARDSON, b. 1958 In ‘Dance with a Stranger’, 1984 By Diana Miller Goldcrest Films	x76158
DIANA RIGG, b. 1938 and MAGGIE SMITH, b. 1934 in ‘Evil Under the Sun’, 1981 By Bob Penn Thorn EMI	x34554
STING, b. 1951 By Terry O’Neill, 1984 Courtesy of the photographer	x32200
JULIE WALTERS, b. 1950 By Alistair Morrison, 1985 Courtesy of the photographer	x27869
MICHAEL YORK, b. 1942 By Pat York, 1985 Courtesy of the photographer	x34539
DIRECTORS
LINDSAY ANDERSON, 1923-1994 By Alastair Thain, 1985 Courtesy of the photographer	P319
HON. ANTHONY ASQUITH, 1902-1968 By James Jarché, 1952 Royal Photographic Society, Bath
SIR RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH, b. 1923 and BEN KINGSLEY, b. 1943 By Snowdon, 1982 Courtesy of the photographer	x34553
SIR MICHAEL BALCON, 1896-1977 By Howard Coster, 1936 National Portrait Gallery	x1720
JOHN BOORMAN, b. 1933 By David Steen, 1980 Courtesy of the photographer	x34542
JOHN BOULTING, 1913-1985 and ROY BOULTING, 1913-2001 By Bill Brandt, 1948 National Portrait Gallery	x22407
MURIEL, 1905-1991; SYDNEY, 1907-1983; and BETTY BOX, 1915-1999 Photographer unknown, c. 1950 Pinewood Studios	x35976
BRYAN FORBES, b. 1926 By George Courtney Ward, 1963 National Film Archive, London	x34508
BILL FORSYTH, b. 1946 By Denis Waugh, 1983 Courtesy of the photographer	x7615
PETER GREENAWAY, b. 1942 By Steve Pyke, 1982 Courtesy of the photographer
SIR ALFRED HITCHCOCK, 1899-1980 By Davis Boulton, 1938 National Film Archive, London
SIR ALFRED HITCHCOCK, 1899-1980 By Howard Coster, 1936 National Portrait Gallery	x3563
HUGH HUDSON, b. 1936 By David Bailey, 1985 Courtesy of the photographer
DEREK JARMAN, 1942-1994 By Steve Pyke, 1983 Courtesy of the photographer	x27429
SIR ALEXANDER KORDA, 1893-1956 By Leslie Baker, 1948 National Film Archive, London
FRANK LAUNDER, 1907-1997 and SIDNEY GILLIAT, 1908-1994 Photographer unknown, 1951 Private collection	x25248
SIR DAVID LEAN, 1908-1991 By Frank Connor, 1984 Joel Finler Collection	x76157
JOSEPH LOSEY, 1909-1984 By Norman Hargood National Portrait Gallery	x34509
ALEXANDER MACKENDRICK, 1912-1993 By John Deakin, 1952 Bruce Bernard	x26056
ALAN PARKER, b. 1944 By David Appleby, 1982 Alan Parker Film Company	x34538
MICHAEL POWELL, 1905-1990 By Fred Daniels, 1940s National Film Archive, London
DAVID PUTTNAM, b. 1941 By Irving Penn, 1978 National Portrait Gallery	x34561
J. ARTHUR RANK, 1^st BARON RANK, 1888-1972 By Karsh, 1949 National Museum of Photography, Film and Television, Bradford	P490(65)
SIR CAROL REED, 1906-1976 By Sir Cecil Beaton, 1938 Sotheby’s London
KAREL REISZ, 1926-2002 By Roy Gough, 1960 Joel Finler Collection
NICOLAS ROEG, b. 1928 By A.J. Barrett, 1985 Courtesy of the photographer	x34513
TONY RICHARDSON, 1928-1991 By Roger Mayne, 1960 National Portrait Gallery	x4059
KEN RUSSELL, b. 1927 By Paul Joyce, 1977 National Portrait Gallery	x13434
VICTOR SAVILLE, 1897-1979 and GEORGE ARLISS on the set of The Iron Duke Photographer unknown, 1934 National Film Archive, London	x34571
JOHN SCHLESINGER, 1926-2003 By Michael Birt, 1983 National Portrait Gallery	x23478
RIDLEY SCOTT, b. 1937 By Alastair Thain, 1985 Courtesy of the photographer	x36072
HERBERT WILCOX, 1892-1977 Photographer unknown, 1932 National Film Archive, London
MICHAEL WINNER, b. 1935 By John Seakwood, 1985 Scimitar Films Ltd.	x34543

Press cuttings

“Glamorous studio portraits of the 1930s and 1940s to today’s glittering images of pop stars.”
—The Times, December 7^th, 1985 p. 22

“...rediscover some forgotten photographers, like the mysterious Tunbridge, the elegant Paul Tanqueray or the versatile Davis Boulton[...], who fully deserve another spell in the limelight, and observe the happy and productive involvement of today’s grandees like Lord Snowdon and Norman Parkinson with the British cinema, even if for only one film or star at a time.”
—John Russell Taylor: The Times, December 24^th, 1985 p. 11

“A thoroughly entertaining exhibition consisting entirely of evocative portraits of British movie faces. I enjoyed Burton trying to the look like Brando.”
—Waldemar Januszczak: The Guardian, January 15^th, 1986 p. 8

Related sitters

Henry James

Stars of the British Screen: From the Thirties to the Present Day

Related sitters

Keep in touch

Support our work